EP1650383B1 - Locking device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a locking device, in particular a locking mechanism, which is used for example in toilet doors in aircraft.

In the case of aircraft toilets, it is a requirement that cabin crew must be able to access them without the need for tools, in the event that a person is included who can not free themselves, or that there is a person in the toilet who the safety of the aircraft is at risk.

The conventional solution consists in a hidden outside under a door access to the door lock, with which the door can be opened.

If a person is included who can not free himself, this solution may allow the trapped person to block the latch, for example, by lying in front of it. In the event that a person is in the toilet, which endangers the safety of the aircraft, it is possible that the conventional solution, the opening mechanism is intentionally jammed. In both cases, it is difficult for the cabin crew to get to the trapped person quickly.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple locking device, with which it is possible to open a locked door, such as a toilet door in an aircraft, from the outside, without the bolt can be blocked from the inside, consciously or unconsciously.

The solution of the problem is defined in the patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The locking device according to the invention contains, in addition to a displaceable latch, an inner and outer control component, which are arranged on opposite sides of the latch. Thus, neither side (a person in the toilet and a person outside the toilet) can directly serve the bar, but each one Side actuates the bolt on separately formed control components (hereinafter also referred to as control plates).

The control panels are provided with pins that engage under normal circumstances in the bolt. The pins of the outer sheet are at least as long as the bar is thick, while the pins of the inner control plate are formed significantly shorter. The inner control plate can, unlike the outer, be moved only on a mask, but the operator as the bar itself. This mask prevents the inner control plate from being pushed into the latch as the mask rests on the door.

In order for the inner control plate to remain in the latch under normal circumstances, it is pressed into the latch by two springs, an inner spring and a mask spring located between the mask and the inner control plate. Specifically, the pins of the inner control plate are pressed into through-holes formed in the latch. The redundancy of the springs is advantageous in order to still ensure safe use of the door in the event of a spring break. The handle for the outer control plate is advantageously mounted under a flap on the outer side of the toilet door.

According to the invention, it is possible, despite blockade of the locking device from the inside, to open the bolt without great effort and without additional tools.

Furthermore, it is possible according to the invention that a normal user notices nothing of the hidden function according to the invention and the bolt can be opened from the outside, without this being noticeable from the inside. This is possible, for example, when the frictional force between the mask and the door is greater than the friction between the pins of the inner control plate and the latch.

• Fig. 1 eine Explosionszeichnung der Verriegelungsvorrichtung gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Verriegelungsvorrichtung; und
• Fig. 3A - 3F jeweils Draufsichten auf die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Verriegelungsvorrichtung in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the locking device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1 an exploded view of the locking device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 2 a top view of the in Fig. 1 shown locking device; and
• Figs. 3A - 3F each plan views of the in Fig. 1 shown locking device in different operating conditions.

Hereinafter, like elements in the figures are given the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the locking device 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The locking device 1 includes a sliding latch 2 which is used to lock and unlock a door 3. In the latch 2, according to the preferred embodiment, four through-holes 4A-4D are formed, which extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bolt 2, and connect a door outside and a door inner side. In Fig. 1 the outside of the door is in the upper half of the figure and the inside of the door is in the lower half of the figure.

Fig. 1 shows an outer control component 5, which is for example a control plate. The outer control component 5 according to the preferred embodiment has four pins 6A-6D projecting substantially perpendicularly from a side facing the latch. The number of pins 6 preferably corresponds to the number of bars in the second formed through-holes 4. According to the preferred embodiment, each pin 6 fits into a corresponding one of the through-holes 4.

On a side facing away from the latch of the outer control member 5 is a substantially vertically outwardly facing outer handle 7. This outer handle 7 extends in the assembled state of the locking device 1 by an opening formed in an outer cover 8 opening 9. The opening 9 is Preferably formed as a slot that serves as a guide when moving the outer control member 5 and the bolt 2. In the assembled state of the locking device 1, the outer handle 7 extends through the slot 9 through and can be operated from the outside by a person. According to the preferred embodiment, the outer control member 5, the pin 6 and the outer handle 7 are integrally formed and injection molded, for example, made of metal or plastic.

On an inner side of the door 3, the locking device 1 includes an inner control member 10. As in FIG Fig. 1 The inner control component 10 is similar in construction to the outer control component 5 and differs therefrom merely in that four pins extending substantially perpendicular to the bar 2 are shown According to the preferred embodiment, the inner control member 10, the pins 11 and the projection 12 are integrally formed and injection molded, for example, of metal or plastic.

The number of pins 11A-11D of the inner control member 10 is similar to the number of the through holes 4A-4D similarly to the outer control member 5.

In the assembled state of the locking device 1, the pins 11 A, 6 A in the through hole 4 A; the pins 11 B, 6 B in the through hole 4 B; the pins 11C, 6C are at least partially inserted into the through-hole 4C and the pins 11D, 4D are inserted into the through-hole 4D, respectively.

As in Fig. 1 shown, extends on a side facing away from the latch 2 side of the inner control member 10, a projection 12 from the latch 2 away to the outside. The projection 12 is for example cylindrical and corresponds to a cylindrical recess 13 which is formed in a mask 14. In the assembled state of the locking device 1, therefore, the cylindrical projection 12 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 13 of the mask 14. Other shapes for the projection 12 and the recess 13 are possible.

The mask 14 may be made to be wider than the recess for the mechanism in the door so that no force can be exerted thereon from the inside on the control member 10 to push the pins into the latch.

As in Fig. 1 1, a first spring element 15 is formed between the inner control component 10 and the mask 14. Further, in the cylindrical recess 13 according to the preferred embodiment of the mask 14, a cylindrical spring 16, which is adapted to the inner periphery of the recess 13 introduced. The recess 13 formed in the mask 14 represents an inner handle 17 on the side of the mask 14 facing away from the door 3. This inner handle 17 protrudes in the installed state of the locking device 1 through an opening 18 which is formed in an inner cover plate 19 , The handle 17 serves, for example, a person who is in the interior of the toilet as a handle for actuating the bolt 2. The inner control member 10 is thus actuated via the mask 10. In the assembled state of the locking device 1, the mask rests on the inside of the door, whereby a movement of the inner control member 10 in the direction bar 2 is prevented.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the in Fig. 1 shown locking device 1 in the assembled state.

Fig. 2 shows a normal state of the locking device 1. In this state, it is possible both by moving the outer control member 5 via the handle 7 and by moving the inner control member 10 via the inner handle 17 to operate the latch 2 and the door 3 ver - and unlock.

Fig. 2 shows that the pins 6A and 6B of the outer control member 5 are formed substantially longer than the pins 11A and 11B of the inner control member 10. The same applies to the pins 6C, 6D and 11C, 11D, which in Fig. 2 not to be seen.

According to the preferred embodiment, the length of the pins 6 of the outer control member 5 is at least equal to the thickness of the bolt 2. In the normal state of the locking device 1, as here in Fig. 2 is shown when both the outer Steuerunsbauteil 5 via the pin 6 and the inner Steuerunsbauteil 10 via the pin 11 with the bolt 2 are engaged, since the pins 6 and 11 are respectively inserted from opposite sides in the through holes 4, is between the outer control member 5 and an outwardly facing surface of the bolt 2, a gap 20 is formed.

When the bolt 2 is to be operated from the outside to unlock the door 3 unnoticed, the outer control member 5 is pressed in the direction of bolt 2, whereby the inserted into the through holes 4 pins 6 A and 6 B, the pins 11 A and 11 B of the inner control member 10th from the through holes against the spring force of the first spring element 12 and push out against the spring force of the second spring element 16. In this state, referred to as override state of the locking device 1 is now can be moved by pushing the outer handle 7 and the outer control member 5 of the bolt 2, wherein it is not possible to prevent this by holding the inner handle 17. Further, when moving the bolt 2, the handle 17 or the mask 14 is not displaced, whereby a person located in the interior does not notice that the bolt 2 is actuated from the outside.

• 3F verdeutlicht, die jeweils Draufsichten auf die Verriegelungsvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung bei verschiedenen Betriebszuständen zeigen.

The operation of the locking device according to the invention is characterized by the Fig. 3A

• Fig. 3F, which respectively show plan views of the locking device according to the invention in different operating states.

The Figs. 3A - 3C show the locking device 1 in a normal state. In this state, the bolt 2 can be operated both from the outside and from the inside.

Fig. 3A illustrates a pushing the bolt 2 from the inside.

Fig. 3B clarifies a sliding of the bolt 2 from the inside.

In Fig. 3C the door is unlocked. As in the Figs. 3A - 3C 2, in the normal state of the locking device 1, the pins 6 of the outer control member 5 and the pins 11 of the inner control member 10 are respectively inserted into and in engagement with the through holes 4 of the bolt 2.

The Fig. 3D - 3F each show a plan view of the locking device 1 according to the invention in an override state.

In Fig. 3D will be similar to in Fig. 3A the latch 2 is closed from the inside.

In Fig. 3E illustrates how the closed latch 2 can be opened from the outside, without this being noticeable from the inside or can be blocked. For this purpose, the outer control component 5 is first pressed into the latch 2 (arrow 1). Thereby, the pins 11 of the inner control member 10 are pushed out of the through holes 4 of the bolt 2 and are no longer engaged with the bolt 2 in engagement. The pushing out of the pin 11 of the inner control member 10 takes place against the spring force of the first and second spring element 15, 16. In a second step (arrow 2), the bolt can be pushed from the outside.

Fig. 3F shows a door unlocked from the outside. As can be clearly seen, only the pins 6 of the outer control member 5 with the through holes 4 of the bolt 2 are engaged. The inner side has no control over the bolt, since the pins 11 of the inner control member 10 are not engaged with the bolt 2 and are pressed only with their end faces by the spring force of the spring elements 15, 16 against an inwardly facing side surface of the bolt 2.

In the override, it is only necessary to work against the spring force of the spring elements 15, 16 when the locking device 1 is unlocked from the outside. The bar 2 can then be moved as easily as always. If the outer control component 5 is released again and moved back and forth once, then the bolt 2 intercepts the inner control component 10 again, in that the springs 15, 16 press the pins 11 back into the through holes 4 of the bolt 2. For this purpose, for example, a spring element between the outer control member 5 and the bolt 2 is provided.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is understood that modifications and variations may be made as long as it is ensured that in one Normal state both from the inside and the outside of the bolt can be operated and in an override condition only a control of the bolt from the outside is possible.

The preferred embodiment has been described in connection with a toilet door in an aircraft. Other areas of application, for example in hospitals, nursing homes or kindergartens, etc., are conceivable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

locking device

2

bars

3

door

4A-4D

Through Hole

5

Exterior control component

6A-6D

spigot

7

Outer handle

8th

Cover plate

9

opening

10

Inner control component

11A-11D

spigot

12

head Start

13

Cylindrical recess

14

mask

15

First spring element

16

Second spring element

17

Inner handle

18

opening

19

Inner cover plate

Claims (9)

1. Locking device with
   a displaceable bolt (2); and
   an external control component (5) and an internal control component (10), which are arranged on opposite sides of the displaceable bolt (2), wherein, in a normal state of the locking device (1), the external control component (5) and the internal control component (10) engage in the bolt (2) in order to displace it, and, in an override state of the locking device (1), only the external control component (5) engages in the bolt (2) in order to displace it;
   wherein in the override state only a control of the bolt (2) from the outside is possible.
2. Locking device according to claim 1, wherein the external
   control component (5) and the internal control component (10) each comprise at least one pin (6A-6D; 11A-11D) which extend essentially perpendicularly from a surface of the external control component (5) and the internal control component (10) in the direction of the bolt (2) and are insertable from opposite sides into at least one corresponding through hole (4A-4D) formed in the bolt (3) for displacing the bolt (2), and the number of the through holes (4) at least corresponds to the number of the pins (6; 11).
3. Locking device according to claim 2, wherein the length of at least one pin (6) of the external control component (5) corresponds to at least the thickness of the bolt (2).
4. Locking device according to claim 3, wherein in the normal state at least one pin (6; 11) of each of the internal control component and (10) and of the external control component (5) are each at least partially inserted into the same through hole (4) of the bolt (2).
5. Locking device according to claim 3, wherein in the override state only the at least one pin (6) of the external control component (5) is inserted into the through hole (4) of the bolt (2).
6. Locking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a spring element (15, 16) for spring loading the internal control component (10) in the direction of the bolt (2).
7. Locking device according to claim 6, wherein in the normal state the spring element (15, 16) presses the at least one pin (11) of the internal control component (10) into a through hole (4) of the bolt (2) and in the override state presses the front face of at least one pin (11) against a lateral surface of the bolt (2).
8. Door with a locking device according to one of claims 1 to 7, containing a flap, under which a handle (9) connected to the external control component (5) is concealable.
9. Use of the door according to claim 8 in an aircraft.

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